Windows 7 Enterprise 90 Day Trial FAQ

Q&A:

Q: What Windows 7 Editions are available for trial?

A: Only Windows 7 Enterprise is available for trial. 

Q: Is Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial a pre-release or final version of Windows 7 Enterprise?

A: Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial is the final Released-to-Manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 7 Enterprise. This is the same software that is available to Volume Licensing (VL) through Software Assurance (SA) and is feature-complete.

Q: Who is eligible to download Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial?

A: IT pros, IT decision makers, and developers who are looking to test their hardware, software, and deployment strategies on Windows 7 can download the Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial. You must correctly fill-out a survey to gain access to the download. Incorrect or incomplete surveys will be denied access to download Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial. Again, if you already have access to Windows 7 bits through MSDN or TechNet, or are an existing Software Assurance customer, you do not need to download this trial and already have access to the Windows 7 RTM without a timeout period.

Q: When will Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial become available and how do I download it?

A: Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial can be downloaded for a limited time from the Microsoft TechNet Evaluation Center beginning September 01, 2009.

Q: In what languages is Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial available?

A: Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial is available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese.

Q: When does the Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial expire?

A: Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial is valid for 90 days after activation. After expiration, your computer will shut down every hour.

Q: What precautions should I take before installing Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial?

A: Be sure to back up your data and please don’t test Windows 7 on your primary home or business PC.

Q: What Web browsers can I use to download Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial?

A: Internet Explorer 7, Internet Explorer 8, and Firefox support the Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial download experience. Please note that Internet Explorer 8 users behind a proxy server should use the automatic configuration for their proxy server for the best download experience.

Q: What are the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial?

A: The minimum hardware requirements are:

Note: Some product features of Windows 7, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, BitLocker, or navigation through the use of “touch,” may require advanced or additional hardware. Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM and 15 GB of available disk space.

Q: What happens if the download doesn't finish?

A: If the download is interrupted, you'll find an icon on your desktop that you can click on to restart the download. It'll pick up where it left off.

Q: How do I create an installation DVD?

A: Insert a blank DVD into your PC’s DVD drive. Navigate to the downloaded Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial file. Right-click the file and select Burn disc image, then click the Burn button when the Windows Disc Image Burner dialog appears. A bootable DVD is created. Alternatively, you can commercially-available or free DVD burning programs.

Q: How do I install Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial?

A: Follow these instructions:

1. Make sure your data has been backed up before installing the Windows 7 Enterprise Trial.
2. Turn on your computer, insert the Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial installation disc you created after downloading Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial into the computer's DVD or CD drive, and then do one of the following.
1. If you want to replace your computer's existing operating system with the Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial and you don't need to adjust your disk partitions, go to step 3.
2. If your computer doesn't have an operating system installed, or you want to install Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial on another disk partition, boot the PC with the DVD in the drive. In the BIOS ensure boot from CD/DVD is chosen. When you're asked to press a key to boot from DVD or CD, press any key. If the Install Windows page appears, go to step 3.
3. If the Install Windows page doesn't appear and you're not asked to press a key to start from DVD or CD, you might have to specify that your computer uses its DVD or CD drive as the startup device. See Start Windows from a CD or DVD. After you select your DVD or CD drive as the startup device, restart your computer, and then start Windows from the installation DVD or CD as previously described.
3. On the Install Windows page, follow the instructions, and then click Install now.
4. On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and protect your computer against security threats. You need an Internet connection to get updates.
5. On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms. (You must accept to continue the installation.)
6. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.
7. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, do one of the following:
1. If you don't want to specify a specific partition to install Windows on, or create partitions on your hard disk, click Next to begin the installation.
2. If you already have another existing partition with enough free space and want to install Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial on that partition to create a multi-boot configuration, select the partition you want to use, and then click Next to begin the installation. (Be sure to install Windows 7 on a different partition from where your current version of Windows is installed.)
3. If you want to create, extend, delete, or format a partition, click Drive options (advanced), click the option you want, and then follow the instructions. Click Next to begin the installation. (If the Drive options (advanced) option is disabled, you need to start your computer using the installation disc.)
8. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Q: Can I use Microsoft deployment technologies to deploy Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial to multiple computers?

A: Yes, Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial is a fully functional copy of Windows 7 Enterprise until it expires 90 days after the installation on a reference computer (the computer from which you build a system image). You can deploy Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial using a variety of deployment technologies, including Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010. You can also install it by simply running the downloaded installation application.

Q: Do I need a product key?

A: No, Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial has a product key built in, so there is no need to enter one.

Q: Do I have to activate Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial?

A: Yes, activation of Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial is required within 10 days after installation or the product will shut down every hour. The ability to activate the trial software will expire on January 31, 2013.

Q: What happens after the trial-period expires?

A: If you wish to continue to use Windows 7 Enterprise please note that you will be required to purchase and perform a clean installation of Windows 7, including drivers and applications. Please keep this in mind; Windows 7 Enterprise is not available through retail channels.

Q: How do I get support for Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial?

A: Expert support by Microsoft Valuable Professionals (MVPs), Microsoft product team members, and the community can be obtained by using the Microsoft TechNet Windows 7 Forums at no cost. You must have a Windows Live ID and forum profile to post questions. Note that forum support is available in English only.

Q: How do I stay informed about Windows 7?

A: You can keep up with general technical information and news by following the Springboard Series blog. Visit the Springboard Series on TechNet for technical guidance, tips, and tools.